Fourth Treatment - Wednesday - September 23, 2009

The day of my fourth chemo treatment was somewhat uneventful except for the usual frenzied attempt to leave the store on time. Mike accompanied me to the appointment, which was a blessing. The oncologist began by asking me if I was planning to do radiation. I am always puzzled by his asking me whether or not I am going to follow the protocol he prescribed, but he explained by saying that he never tries to say anything is mandatory. Somehow I seem to feel as though it is. After going over the list of side-effects I had experienced, he told me that I was far ahead of most people and that I was doing excellently. "So you’ll be here in three weeks?", he said. "Yes, I will." I answered somewhat amused that he seemed unsure that I will finish the treatments. Maybe it is because he knows how resistant I am to any drug.

After my appointment with the doctor it was time for the treatment. Mike and I waited for another patient to finish so I could get one of the semi-private cubby holes the office provides. We were sitting there talking while waiting for my blood work to return. (Chemo lowers your blood levels, so they always take blood to determine whether or not the levels are high enough to take the next treatment.) Mike happened to make a comment about the TV in the room. I answered that I liked the semi-private rooms because I did not have to listen to a TV. All of a sudden the TV set in the next cubby hole became very loud. We were both annoyed by it so Mike peered around the corner then came back and sat down. "She looks about 120 years old," he whispered, "And I don’t feel right about asking her to turn it down." We were laughing about it when suddenly the volume was lowered drastically and we were both relieved.

My blood levels were very good so they started the treatment. As usual, when I have someone with me I fight sleep until the last possible moment. Mike saw how drowsy I was and encouraged me to rest. The next thing I knew the chemo was finished and I was able to go home.